DeMerit - Rodgers is key

Hornets skipper believes boss holds the key for cup clash

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 25th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

DeMerit - Rodgers is key

DeMerit: Relishing Chelsea clash

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Watford captain Jay DeMerit is hoping manager Brendan Rodgers has some 'aces' up his sleeve for their FA Cup clash with Chelsea.

The Hornets will welcome Chelsea to Vicarage Road in the FA Cup fifth road after the draw pitted the two sides together on Sunday.

The game will have significant meaning for Rodgers after he left the Chelsea coaching staff to take over at Watford in November.

His skipper is hoping that his boss can share some inside information on their opponents to help them book a place in the quarter-finals.

"We will have some aces up our sleeves that's for sure," DeMerit told Sky Sports News.

"As far as tactics go I'm looking forward to what Brendan's got for us."

Upset

The defender scored his first FA Cup goal in the 4-3 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and is confident his side can cause an upset.

"We have to look at the kind of games they have struggled in and that comes with hard work," he added.

"We have to get in their faces and not let them be the Chelsea they want to be. It will be a tough game."

With potentially nine teams outside of the Premier League still in the draw the 29-year-old admits that there were easier draws out there but is relishing the prospect of facing the West Londoners.

"When you get to these type of rounds the final 16 is when you start to look for games like this," he explained.

"It's a difficult one, we will be looking forward to it that's for sure."